Game apparatus



p 96 A. R. D! METRO 2,999,692

GAME APPARATUS Filed Dec. 15, 1959 INVENTOR; ANTHONY R. DI1'PIE'TF'RO ATTORNE Y' 2,999,692 GAME APPARATUS Anthony R. Di Pietro, 3421 St. Ambrose Ave., Baltimore, Md. Filed Dec. 15, 1959, Ser. No. 859,641 1 Claim. (Cl. 273-97) The present invention relates to a game apparatus and it consists in the combinations, constructions and arrangements of parts herein described and claimed.

Generally the invention comprises a simple game device in which there is provided an elongated hollow openended cylindrical body provided with a pair of longitudinally spaced circular openings adjacent one end thereof, the other end portion thereof being utilized as a handle. A ball of slightly greater diameter than the openings is interconnected with the body adjacent that end portion thereof having the aforesaid openings. The body is provided with indicia adjacent each of its open ends and adjacent each of the openings. The device requires exceptional skill in maneuvering the ball intothe various openings and the indicia indicate scores in accordance with the relative skill required to catch the ball therein. In addition to the skill and concentration required to operate the device successfully, it at the same time provides amusement to the user and to those who may be watching the user in his attempts to successfully manipulate the same.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a novel game apparatus requiring great skill in its manipulation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character set forth which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and yet effective and efiicient in use.

A still further object of the invention is to provide, in a device of the character set forth, a novel body construction forming a part of the invention.

Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following specification taken in conjunction with the drawing, in which FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention, showing the same in use,

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged front elevational View thereof, and

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary side elevational View, partly broken away, of the device illustrated in FIGURE 2.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, there is shown therein a game apparatus having an open-ended elongated cylindrical body which may be formed of any suitable material but is preferably constructed of either cardboard or of a plastic material.

One end of the body may be termed the inner end or handle portion, as indicated at 11, while the other end may be termed the outer end, as indicated at 12.

Inwardly of the outer end 12 there is provided a circular opening 13 and, spaced longitudinally inwardly from the opening 13, an opening 14.

A ball 15 is interconnected by a cord or string 16 to the outer end portion of the body 10 by any suitable HCQ means but preferably and as shown, by forming a knot 17 at the end of the cord 16 and on the inner side of the body 10 after passing the cord 16 through a minute opening in the body. The cord 16 is attached to the body 10 at a point diametrically opposite the opening 13.

In using the game apparatus, the player grasps the inner end or handle portion 11, extending the body 10 horizontally outwardly with the ball 15 and cord 16 extending downwardly therefrom by gravity. If desired, the ball may rest upon the floor or ground during this stage. By a quick upward movement imparted to the body 10 by the players arm, the ball will be propelled into the air whereupon it is the desideratum of the game to catch the ball in one of the openings 13 or 14 or, alternatively, in either the outer or inner end of the body 10. Indicia 18, 19, 20 and 21 are printed or otherwise placed upon the body 10 adjacent the openings 13-, 14 and the outer and inner ends of the body 10, respectively, and these indicia indicate progressively relatively greater scores which may be accredited to the player who succeeds in catching the ball 15 in any one of the openings. The ball is adapted to easily pass into the body 10 through either of its open ends. However, the openings 13 and 14 are of a diameter only slightly less than that of the ball 15. Hence, it is exceedingly difficult to receive and balance the ball in either of the openings 13 and 14, thus adding an element which calls for exceptional skill in placing the ball in these particular openings.

While but one form of the invention has been shown and described herein, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that many minor modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A device of the character described comprising an open-ended cylindrical body having additional openings in the side thereof, a ball receivable in either end of said body, said additional openings being of slightly less diameter than the diameter of said ball and being longi tudinally spaced and positioned adjacent one end of said body, and a cord interconnecting said ball and said body, the juncture between said cord and said body being diametrically opposite the outermost of said additional openings, the outermost of said additional openings being the opening adjacent said one end of said body, and said body having indicia thereon adjacent each of the openings and adjacent each open end thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 46,080 Klein July 7, 1914 755,117 Dunn Mar. 22, 1904 1,127,943 Thomas Feb. 9, 1915 2,376,755 Buckner May 22, 1945 2,512,239 Singer June 20, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 23,093 Great Britain 1894 911,977 France Apr. 8, 19'46. 

